Investment
The GEMINI project will install three shallow (less than 500 metres) geothermal energy systems in Sligo Regional Sports Centre (+), the Northern Ireland Housing Executive Centre of Excellence, Belfast (+) and Northern Ireland Water, Belfast. These will provide near-zero emissions heat to public buildings and help to address fuel poverty.
The range of different users will demonstrate the types of facilities that can employ geothermal energy systems.
A deep (greater than 500 metres) geothermal system will be developed at the Technological University Dublin campus at Grangegorman, Dublin with additional investigations for geothermal resources in the Antrim area.
The Grangegorman demonstration site will invest in a 2 km deep borehole to demonstrate feasibility in Ireland for a larger scale heat network.
The Antrim area will include data collection and analysis for identifying future geothermal energy opportunities.
The GEMINI project will include a series of activities aimed at the longer term sustainability and development of the geothermal energy sector on our island. This will include education, skills and training programmes, research (social science, and science and technology), data and toolkits for planners, public engagement programmes, design of business models, and information to support policy across the whole island of Ireland.
“Decarbonisation is a cornerstone of my economic plan. As an alternative to fossil fuels, geothermal energy has a pivotal role to play in decarbonising heat. The Gemini project will demonstrate and promote the benefits of geothermal across the island. ”
